SWIMMING: Ipswich has confirmed its swimming domination in a thrilling gala at the home pool.Facing tough competition from teams across the county, Ipswich swimmers stole a convincing victory in the Challenge Shield event – taking a spectacular 284 points in all.

By Debbie Watson

SWIMMING

IPSWICH has confirmed its swimming domination in a thrilling gala at the home pool.

Facing tough competition from teams across the county, Ipswich swimmers stole a convincing victory in the Challenge Shield event – taking a spectacular 284 points in all.

The gala saw Ipswich finishing almost 50 points clear of their closest rival, Stowmarket.

Club coaches Dave Champion and Carol Jellings had taken the brave step of deliberately opting to challenge their swimmers' abilities in Saturday night's competition.

Instead of swimming all entrants in their strongest event, the pair consciously swam some in alternative races.

It was an experiment which was to work brilliantly, with individual and relay wins coming thick and fast throughout the night.

For the girls, first places were rapidly added to the scoresheet thanks to a great night for the 12/13, 14/15 and Open age group categories.

Samantha Berry, Rebecca Harris and Stephanie Calver took well deserved gold placings in their respective 100m butterfly, breastroke and freestyle swims, while Kirsty Binnington, Hannah Wood, Elisa Calver and Lucy Schofield provided the winners' run for their 14/15 year-old races.

Aimee Mallion, Emma Game, Louise Howes and Rebecca Cotton created the other winning quartet for their individual events in the Open category.

Of the mens' swims, Alex Pajak, David Gallagher, Matt Paine and John Sargent also proved their winning ways.

Notably, Ipswich also had a great night for their relay efforts.

The club sealed eight wins and one third placing.

Club spokeswoman Karen Keeley said: "The gala was held at a full-house Crown Pools and the atmosphere was just electric.

"Experimenting with the individual race format proved really worthwhile and must have made the swimmers even more proud of their efforts."

She added: "Nights like this one are fantastic for the club and prove just what a great collective talent we have."

Ipswich won with 284 points, 2nd Stowmarket 235 pts, 3rd Canvey Island 107 pts, 4th Hadleigh 184 pts, 5th Sudbury 180 pts, 6th Oulton Broads 151 pts, 7th Alsham Vikings 119 pts and 8th Basildon with 116 pts.

10/11 yrs Girls Results: Grace Tricker 3rd 50m freestyle 38.73, Lydia Williams 5th 50m butterfly 44.54, Alex Boosey 6th 50m breaststroke 52.95, Amy Swallow 2nd 50m backstroke 39.89. 12/13 yrs: Samantha Berry 1st 100m butterfly 1.24.17, Rebecca Harris 100m breaststroke 1st 1.25.13, Emma Glendenning 100m backstroke 2nd 1.22.08, Stephanie Calver 100m freestyle 1st 1.10.20. 14/15yrs: Kirsty Binnington 100m breaststroke 1st 1.26.64, Hannah Wood100m backstroke 1st 1.18.58, Elisa Calver 100m freestyle 1st 1.06.74, Lucy Schofield 1st 1.11.43. Girls Open: Aimee Mallion 100m backstroke 1st 1.11.97, Emma Game 100m freestyle 1st 1.02.77, Louise Howes 100m butterfly 1st 1.11.65, Rebecca Cotton 100m breaststroke 1st 1.21.90.

10/11 yrs Boys Results: Ben Wood 50m freestyle 3rd 39.35, Alex Pajak 50m backstroke 1st 43.77, 14/15yrs: David Gallagher 100m breaststroke 1st 1.18.64, Tom Hogan 100m backstroke 2nd 1.12.24, Simon Cullum 100m freestyle 6th 1.08.88, Matt Paine 100m butterfly 1st 1.09.93, Men's Open: Daniel Cullum 100m backstroke 2nd 1.10.08, John Sargent 100m freestyle 1st 56.39, Daniel Cullum 100m butterfly 4th 1.10.00, Sean McNamee 100m breaststroke 2nd 1.20.35.